Foe of New Cruise Missile to Speak: May 2016

Will Saetren

Does the United States need a new nuclear-armed cruise missile?

Will Saetren, a former research fellow with the Ploughshares Fund, has just released a report that attempts to answer this question, and will summarize his arguments in a 3:30 p.m. talk at the Arizona Senior Academy on Monday (May 16). The Ploughshares Fund is a global security foundation working to reduce and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons.

The Obama administration wants to spend about $30 billion over the next two decades on a new air-launched nuclear cruise missile called the Long-Range Stand-Off (LRSO) weapon. In addition, the administration plans to spend at least another $100 billion on 100 new B-21 stealth bombers to carry the new LRSO missiles.

Both the LRSO and the B-21 would have stealth capabilities. But Saetren argues that using a stealth bomber to carry a stealth cruise missile is not only redundant, it’s extremely dangerous.

He contends that building both these new weapons systems is unaffordable, unnecessary and destabilizing. Doing so risks igniting a new nuclear arms race.

In addition, the new missile is projected to have low yield capabilities which, Saetren argues, means that military planners want to be able to carry out “surgical” nuclear strikes.

This troubles Congressional opponents of the LRSO.

“The so-called improvements to this weapon seemed to be designed, candidly, to make it more usable, to help us fight and win a limited nuclear war. I find that a shocking concept,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

Saetren’s report, Ghosts of the Cold War: Rethinking the Need for a New Nuclear Cruise Missile urges President Obama to cancel the LRSO and propose a global ban on all nuclear-armed cruise missiles.

Saetren did his undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona and is a grandson of ASA member Richard Kronauer.

Written by Mike Maharry, Academy Village Volunteer

More Info on attending an event

Academy Village is an active-adult community located off Old Spanish Trail six miles southeast of Saguaro National Park East. Its residents support the Arizona Senior Academy, a non-profit charitable organization whose mission includes offering free concerts and lectures to the public.

These events are held in the Great Room of The ASA Building adjacent to the Academy Village Community Center. Due to the popularity of cultural events, non-residents who wish to ensure priority seating are advised to make reservations by email at info@arizonasenioracademy.org or by phone at (520) 647-0980. To learn more about the Academy, go to www.asa-tucson.org.

Parking for visitors is in the lot behind the Community Center. All parking spaces in front of the Academy building are reserved.

Testimonials

Performing at the Arizona Senior Academy, in their gorgeous location on the eastern side of Saguaro National Park East, is a high point of the year for both my students and myself. The audience and administration are very welcoming to UA students and faculty, and the subsequent question-and-answer period is always informative.

The first time I performed at the Arizona Senior Academy I offered two options to the audience for an encore: Chopin or Schoenberg. Who could imagine an audience whose resounding answer would be ‘SCHOENBERG!’ Clearly, this response demonstrates unusually open, perceptive ears!

The opportunity to preview University of Arizona concerts in such a receptive venue, both audience and acoustic-wise, makes the Senior Academy a unique place for us performers. … It is always a great pleasure to perform/lecture at the Arizona Senior Academy.

A treasure on the eastside.

I’ve given talks in venues across the country, and I always look forward to returning to Academy Village. The setting is superb and the venue comfortable—and a speaker couldn’t ask for a more responsive, more receptive audience.

The Arizona Senior Academy provides a comfortable space with great acoustics … This ensures a great time for both audience and performer. It is a fantastic venue in a beautiful desert setting. The icing on the cake is the audience — engaged and eager to hear what the performer has to offer.

Playing at the Academy offers the performer the unique experience of an audience that is simultaneously appreciative and stimulating. The questions that follow can lead to unusual and thought-provoking turns of conversation, both during the performance hour and at the congenial luncheon that so often follows. What a great place to play!

ASA is a very unique venue that offers a very intimate feel that I truly appreciate as a musician. … A Hidden Gem in the Desert.

We have always enjoyed performing at the Academy. A gorgeous spot, a wonderful piano, a fantastic audience and exceptional hosts who make their guests feel really special. Does not get better than that!

I’ve given public lectures around the world, and found the questions asked here at the ASA to be some of the most thoughtful and perceptive that I’ve ever gotten!

Designed to bring together individuals with intellectual curiosity in a stimulating environment, [Academy Village] is a successful model for creative retirement that is being used by several other American universities.

Making presentations at the Arizona Senior Academy is always a joy and a challenge, because I have to work a little harder to stay one step ahead of the very sharp audience. … And the lovely desert location helps keep us all stimulated.